Out of the box thought.
Try this stuff instead of either a dark stain or white paint.http://www.oldenglishpolish.com/sf2_scratch.shtml
Its a penetrating hardened when dry oil type finish I've used to great effect with several pieces of light colored wood. Get the pair (usually at Home Despot/Lowes), start with the light on a scrap test & add a little dark (in a separate container so you don't mess up the original "light") until you get just the degree of color you want.

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